Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that generate electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of electrogenic bacteria. These systems provide a renewable energy source and serve as an innovative method for treating organic waste, such as wastewater.A typical MFC consists of two chambers: an anoxic (oxygen-free) compartment that houses the bacteria and an oxic (oxygen-rich) compartment that contains oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Many MFCs use proton...

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...

Microbial Nutrition

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...

Microbes and Methanogenesis

Microbes and Methanogenesis

Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems play a key role in the natural breakdown of contaminants introduced through domestic and industrial effluents. Acting as biological catalysts, these microbes change and mineralize a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants under different redox conditions.In oxygen-rich surface waters, aerobic heterotrophs lead organic matter breakdown, using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to efficiently oxidize substrates to carbon dioxide and water.

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation. However, because inorganic electron donors...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Hydrogels Based on Recombinant Spidroin Stimulate Proliferation and Migration of Human Corneal Cells.

Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections·2024

Same author

Recombinant Spidroin Films Attenuate Individual Markers of Glucose Induced Aging in NIH 3T3 Fibroblasts.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia·2020

Same author

[Escherichia coli ydiO and ydiQRST genes encode components of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase complex of anaerobic fatty acid β-oxidation pathway].

Genetika·2018

Same author

Recombinant 1F9 spidroin microgels for murine full-thickness wound repairing.

Doklady. Biochemistry and biophysics·2016

Same author

Electroanalysis of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

Doklady. Biochemistry and biophysics·2015

Same author

Novel 3D-microcarriers from recombinant spidroin for regenerative medicine.

Doklady. Biochemistry and biophysics·2015

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

Published on: December 29, 2013

[Electricity from microorganisms].

|June 5, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Electrogenic microorganisms generate electricity via direct electron transfer in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Research highlights molecular mechanisms, bacterial nanowires, and MFC applications using complex waste substrates.

More Related Videos

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Published on: June 1, 2018

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Published on: August 23, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

Published on: December 29, 2013

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Published on: June 1, 2018

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

Published on: August 23, 2024

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Electrochemistry
Bioengineering

Context:

Direct electron transfer from microorganisms to electrodes is a key process.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) harness this for electricity generation.
Intense research over the past decade has focused on electrogenic microorganisms.

Purpose:

To review the molecular mechanisms of electron transfer in Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens.
To discuss the role of bacterial conducting pili (nanowires) in electron transport.
To explore the application of MFCs with complex substrates and microbial associations.

Summary:

Reviews molecular mechanisms of direct electron transfer in Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens.
Highlights the discovery and function of bacterial nanowires for extracellular electron transfer.
Examines the use of microbial associations and biofilms in real-world MFCs utilizing industrial waste.

Impact:

Advances understanding of microbial electrogenic processes.
Demonstrates the potential of bacterial nanowires in bioelectronic devices.
Considers progress in MFC design and practical applications for waste remediation and energy generation.